Friday, May 1, 2009

Issues of sustainability and smart growth are becoming a fast-growing trend among housing advocates as we continue to discuss possible ways to include affordable, green housing into discourse on "livable" communities.

The National Housing Institute (NHI) showcases an ongoing discussion sustainability and smart growth on its "Rooflines" Blog. This post, written by Kaid Benfield, points out that development patterns are often testament to the preferences and lifestyle choices made from generation to generation.

Benfield writes, "...this is no longer the same America that fled the cities in droves in the 20th century and created the new suburbs, one after another, that they hoped would be idyllic."

As American demographics continue to evolve, so will the choices that determine how and where we choose to live.

According to Benfield, other possible explanations for this growing trend towards "livable" communities include the economic recession, foreclosure crisis and recent rises in gas prices.

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About the National Housing Conference

Everyone in America should have equal opportunity to live in a quality, affordable home in a thriving community. The National Housing Conference educates decision makers and the public about housing policies and practices to move housing forward together. NHC convenes and collaborates with our diverse membership and the broader housing and community development sectors to advance our policy, research and communications initiatives to effect positive change at the federal, state and local levels. Founded in 1931, we are a nonpartisan, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. NHC’s research team operated as the Center for Housing Policy until the organizations merged in 2013.